Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sillywilly]

I used to get REALLY offended by that. But then one night I went out drinking with a Korean girlfriend at her friend's bar. The bar owner said that I looked Russian.. I said: No, I'm from Canada" But he kept on going, really adament and smiling.. Like, no, no, you really DO look Russian. Then and ther I realised it was a compliment.

Noone can tell your personality or your sexual ethics from accross the room. All they can do is look at you. They think Russians LOOK pretty. That's a compliment. I thin kmost Russians probably dress classier than most ESL teachers outside of work too! Noone is saying " HEY! You look like a ho"

I also kind of get the impression ( and I might be wrong) that despite Korea having a more conservative culture, entertainers and sex workers aren't treated with the same disdain or judged as harshly as they are back home. If anything, whenever I talk to Koreans about bar girls, or prostitutes, the Koreans seem to project sympathy for the girls. noone wants to be a sex worker here and of course these girls are kind of below others.. but then again, everyone is below someone else in this culture.

Anyway, I had better stop before I start a lecture on the regulation and legalization of prostitution.

[Bely good New Jeelandur]

I too, am Blonde with blue eyes. I have bumps and curves in places, but it hasn't stopped any Korean males asking me if I am "Russian" also. Usually I just tell them "NO! I'm from New Zealand" And lucky for me they go on about how "beautiful" New Zealand is or how it is a "Very good Country"
I have also been asked if I am American (most of the time actually, after all aren't most of us foreigners from the US?? According to Koreans? ) and I say the usual thing, and then they do too.
So I guess by being from a different country from their thoughts, I get away quite easily.
I do feel sorry for all of you ladies who have this problem, some of the other advice here is good. Try telling them you don't speak english or Korean (in Korean) maybe that will shut them up??

Good luck!

[sillywilly]

Just a note: I was in Seoul this weekend. On my prior visits to Seoul I was usually with my kid. This time, just for 15 minutes a couple of times, I had the opportunity to do quick food runs solo. Anyway, it happens a lot in Jeonju but in Seoul.. Everywhere I went. "Russian?" "Russian?" "Russian?" and they'd whisper it like it was a dirty secret. If you live in Seoul I have a better understanding of your experience I think... If you want tohave that occur less I suggest you move to Jeonju.. I mean it still happens but not evertime I go anywhere.

[kangnamdragon]

Someone asked me the other day if I am Russian too. and, I am a man. What's with this? Why are so many Russians here taking our jobs? Why are they on t.v. posing as English speakers. I don't think Russians should be allowed to work here when Russia is still an ally of North Korea.

[canuckistan]

Welcome to world travel......Maybe I'm a goof, but I think the "Are you Russian" thing is funny
Certainly not worth crying over anyways. A really good solution:
Just laugh and say "No, I'm from_________"

[kangnamdragon]

Yes, but what is also funny is that they were Arab-Americans from California, the same state from which I come.

[rapier]

Russians sent the first man into space, founded and maintained a superpower, and influenced the politics of half the world for at least a century. Koreans invented Gimchi. What gives them the right to view Russians as inferior?

[Gord]

[Wombat]

[rawiri]

wombat,
HARSH! but true, maybe princess should put up or shush up (lets see some pics girl) and even if you are all that im sorry to inform you as far as attraction go's (for me anyways) asthetic value only go's so far and personality, compatabilty yadda yadda are way higher on the list if anything long term is on the cards.

[Wombat]

I wonder if it's not simply a joke, and Princess is some fellow sitting about his flat, rolling around in laughter that we take such offense to "her" vapidity.

That's where my bet's placed.

Wombat

[matko]

Princess is almost as big a troll as CPA!

Probably the same person!

[Gord]

Maybe I should invite her to my place then I can take pics and post them up. www.sexyforeignprincess.co.kr!

Or if she turns out looking a little less desirable than she has suggested, www.foreignmanbeast.co.kr

[The Man known as The Man]

[hojucandy]

yu don't have to be blonde and female to be mistaken for a russian. i get it often too. most recently a russian man in ansan with a complete set of dark gold teeth positively insisted i was russian and could not ubnderstand why i did not speak his mother tongue.